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CONTACT:	Carla Marsh 561.368.4421 cmarshpr@earthlink.net

“INCOMPARABLE” TRIP TO ITALY, SEA DREAM MEGA-YACHT CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY AND “THE ULTIMATE SLUMBER PARTY” HEAD HOST OF
STELLAR WINE AND LIFESTYLE LOTS UP FOR BID AT
BOCA BACCHANAL WINEFEST & AUCTION

Community Programs of the Boca Raton Historical Society and
The Children’s Place South to Benefit

BOCA RATON, FL – (March 1, 2004) - Let the revelry begin! A weekend of great wine matched with delectable culinary delights will tempt the savvy palates of patrons at the Second Annual Boca Bacchanal Winefest &Auction as they prepare to sip, savor and bid at the event’s world-class auction, all to support local children’s causes. On tap are ten vintner dinners on Friday evening; wine seminars; BOCAnalia, a sumptuous Saturday luncheon food and wine tasting on the green at the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park ; the Grand Finale Auction and Dinner Saturday night and a fabulous “Brunch in the Sky” to wrap up festivities on Sunday.

Presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society March 19-21, 2004, this year’s edition of Boca Bacchanal will benefit community programs of the Historical Society, and the Children's Place South in Boca Raton, a part of The Children's Place at Home Safe. The Palm Beach County organization provides 24-hour residential and community- based services to children and families impacted by child abuse and neglect, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.

“We have invited an impressive array of internationally acclaimed vintners and chefs to stir up culinary excitement,” says Beth King, who along with Cathy Arts, is co-chairing this year’s fundraiser. “Our goal is to involve the entire community in a delightful cultural event while they help us raise support for children’s causes.”

The centerpiece of Boca Bacchanal is the Grand Finale Dinner and Auction at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, which features rare wines and lifestyle lots at live and silent auctions and a multi-course dinner displaying the culinary talents of top chefs.

“The wineries participating in Boca Bacchanal come to us from the world’s great wine producing countries: France, Italy, Australia and the United States,” states Chris Kearney, Vice president of National Distributing Company. “They bring an international flavor that compliments the great lineup of chefs, making this a tremendous wine and food event. But, importantly, wine is also a lifestyle. At the auction bidders will be vying for an outstanding array of distinctive and impressive wine lots.” Kearney described several of the most attractive offerings:

A true wine collector’s treasure, the Merryvale Vineyards Profile vertical collection includes two bottles each of the 1998, 1999 and 2000 vintage, packed in a branded wooden box. All six bottles of this acclaimed Bordeaux-inspired Napa Valley blend are signed by Winemaker Stephen Test. This package also includes a VIP tour and tasting at four at Merryvale Vineyards, situated in the heart of the Napa Valley, with President Peter Huwiler, followed by dinner at nearby Tra Vigne, one of Napa Valley’s best restaurants.

Wineries also have a “personality” and Swanson Vineyards, owned by Clarke Swanson, an icon in the wine world, ranks among one of the top wineries in California. The offering by this prestigious winery represents some “serious Swanson”: a rare vertical collection of Alexis, Swanson’s proprietary Napa Valley estate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah (set includes one Magnum each of the 1998, 1999 and 2000) and a Jeroboam of 1995 Napa Valley Syrah, a concentrated, complex wine of impressive character and aging potential. Also included is a personalized tasting session with Clarke Swanson in the famous “Swanson Salon.”
Wine is an integral element in Australia, and this fine travel lot will enable the high bidder and a guest to discover it in style. It begins with a three-bottle Penfolds gift box that includes a true wine treasure: a bottle of 1998 Penfolds Grange, among the finest wines ever produced from this fabled vineyard. The travel package begins with a two-night stay for two in Adelaide, close to both the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley, two of Australia’s finest wine regions. Penfolds will host a tour and tasting at its winery in Barossa Valley, including a visit to the famed Grange Vineyard. Also included in the package is dinner for two at Magill Estate Restaurant, one of Australia’s finest dining establishments.

The auction spotlight will also be on hugely appealing travel/lifestyle /wine prizes such as:

A romantic trip for two to Northern Italy’s Piemonte region, home to magnificent wines and classic cuisine. Begin with a generous selection of the region’s outstanding vintages for your cellar. Vacation includes round trip business class tickets from Miami to Milan, three nights in the beautiful Villa Tiboldi, winery tours, tastings, fabulous meals, including at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and much more.
The Ultimate Slumber Party at the Boca Raton Resort & Club featuring sumptuous accommodations for six in the plush, two-story, 6,000-square-foot Presidential Suite. The perfect “girl’s night out”, includes indulgent spa treatments for each guest at the Resort’s luxurious Spa Palazzo, Tapas, the Sommelier’s recommended wine, and a Grande Breakfast in the Cathedral Dining Room. (“Girl talk” not included!)
The premier sailing experience, a seven day Caribbean yacht holiday on one of the luxurious mega yachts, Sea Dream or Sea Dream II, which includes five star service, a magnificent stateroom, fascinating ports of call such as Nevis, Virgin Gorda, Antigua and St. Barts and exquisite cuisine.
Napa Valley Magic, a 4-day, 3-night discovery tour of fabled Napa Valley’s food, wine, scenery and hospitality, expertly guided by nationally known food and wine columnists Monty and Sara Preiser; includes accommodations at the Rancho Caymus Inn, dinners at the acclaimed Terra, Brix and the Culinary Institute of America restaurants; barrel tastings, winery tours, a brandy and cognac tasting and so very much more.
Owners Dick and Ann Grace of Grace Family Vineyards now have more than 4,000 people on the waiting list to purchase their wines, but they reserve much of their tiny production for charitable donations. This impressive lot features double magnum bottles of the famed Grace Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the superb 2001 vintage, and the inaugural release of Dick and Ann Grace’s newest creation, the 2001 Grace Family Vineyards Blank Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.


Cathy Arts, Chris Kearney, Beth King	Becky Davis, James Reaux, Megan Tormey(seated), Renee Feder

A famed winemaker and international philanthropist, Grace will also be lending his services as Honorary Wine Chairman. Joining Grace in orchestrating the Grand Finale evening will be master Auctioneer Dave Reynolds and James Reaux, Executive Chef of the Boca Raton Resort & Club, who will preside over a delectable dinner created by renowned fellow culinarians and prized vintners. These outstanding chefs include Ken Frank (La Toque, Rutherford, CA); Alice Weingarten (Alice’s Key West, Key West, FL); Todd Slossberg (Hotel Jerome, Aspen, CO); Clark Frasier & Mark Gaier (Arrows Restaurant, Ogunquit, ME); Rich Vellante (Legal Sea Foods, Boston MA); Roberto Donna (Galileo, Washington, D.C.); Robbin Haas (Chispa, Coral Gables, FL); Maurilio Garola (La Ciau Del Tornavento, Treiso, Italy) Michelle Bernstein (Azul, Miami, FL); Jim Dodge (The Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA); Nick Morfogen (32 East, Delray Beach, FL) and Oliver Saucy (Café Maxx, Pompano Beach, FL).

The presenting vintners are Clarke Swanson, (Swanson Vineyards, Rutherford, CA); Christopher W. Silva (St. Francis Winery, Sonoma, CA); Peter K. Huwiler (Merryvale Vineyards, Napa Valley, CA); Rolando Beramendi (Barone Ricasoli, Brolio, Casanova di Neri, Fonterutoli, Tuscany, Italy); Jeffrey Paterson (Mt. Eden Vineyards, Santa Cruz, CA); John W. Gay (Penfolds, Australia); Tom Selfridge (Chalone Wine Group, Napa, CA); Norman and Rosalee DeLeuze (ZD Winery, Napa Valley, CA); Kathy Benziger (Benziger Family Winery , Glen Ellen, CA); Olivier Masmondet (Maison Louis Jadot, Beaune, France) and Piedmont producers Malvira’, Cigliuti, Borgo Maragliano, and Cascian Fontana (Piedmont, Italy).

For information on Boca Bacchanal package rates and accommodations partners please call 561.395.6766, ext. 101 or visit the event Website at www.bocabacchanal.com. Please note: All Boca Bacchanal sponsors and weekend package ticket purchasers receive priority for event selections. Limited number of tickets and space available.

Boca Bacchanal chairs include: Cathy Arts and Beth King, Event Co-Chairs; Chris Kearney and Saby Diaz, Vintners; Howard Olshansky, Margaret Hudson, John Mullhall and Sylvie Godin, Children’s Place Liaisons; Chef Jim Dodge, Chef Advisory Chair; Chef Joe Coletto, BOCAnalia Chefs Chair; Chef James Reaux, Auction Dinner; Mary Jane Evans and John Lewis, Vintner Dinners; George Brown and Linda Davidson, BOCAnalia; Renee Feder and Becky Davis, Grand Finale Auction Dinner; Barbara Teage and Megan Tormey, Auction; Ginny and Peter Page, Brunch; Carter Strickland, Wine Committee; Carla Marsh, Chef Acquisitions and Public Relations; Ann Rutherford, Underwriting; Kae Jonsons, Pre-events; John Hannifan, Treasurer; Mary Csar, Marketing; Robin Deyo, Website and Carole Putman, Database. Serving in an advisory capacity are last year’s chairmen Ann Rutherford, Carla Marsh, Margaret Mary Shuff and Joan Wargo, as well as Tim and Julie Snow, and Lisa Warren.

Boca Bacchanal corporate and private sponsors include Mrs. Keith C. Wold, Boca Raton Magazine, National Distributing Company, Boca Raton Resort & Club, JM Family Enterprises, Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council, The Wine News, Un Po' Pazzo, Inc., Carla Marsh Public Relations, Cendyn, Newman Craske Family; Mizner Park, Rutherford, Mulhall, PA; Publix Super Market Charities, Champagne Taittinger, the R. A. Ritter Foundation and SUNNY 104.3 FM.

COMPLETE LIST OF AUCTION LOTS AND PARTICIPATING VINTNERS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Winefest Events

Friday, March 19 - Vintner Dinners
Celebrated chefs will pair with vintners to create memorable dining experiences in historic settings and private residences. The dinners will take place at ten sites, each an outstanding venue which displays Boca Raton's distinctive character. Admission: $300/person

Saturday, March 2 - BOCAnalia “Luncheon Revelry on the Green” at the
Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park

Stroll, taste and enjoy delicious food "by the bite" created by 20 of the area's top chefs and over 60 wineries. An Exceptional presentation of featured wines will be offered along with the food, under the shelter of an attractive tent. Guests will stroll, sip, dine and listen to live music. Presenting restaurants include Arturo's, Johannes, Legal Sea Food, Le Bistro, Mark's at the Park, PF Chang’s, Tsunami, Pranzo, The Hillsboro Club, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Gi Gi’s Tavern, Zemi .

Time: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Wine Seminars by Michael Weiss of the Culinary Institute of America
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Site: Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park (Boca Raton Museum of Art)
Admission: $ 40 per person (includes souvenir wine glass)

Saturday, March 20 - Auction and Dinner
Set at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the Grand Finale Dinner and Auction will be a delicious fantasy of sensational food and great wine followed by an exciting auction orchestrated by respected master auctioneer David Reynolds.

6:30 PM Reception, Dinner & Auction
Admission: $250 per person

Sunday, March 21 – Brunch in the Sky

The culmination of a glorious culinary weekend, the Brunch in the Sky will be set at 27 Ocean Blue at the top of the tower at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
Noon - $ 75 per person

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